By: Daniel Brown
The Company
Who are the protesters? What do they stand for? Is this protest part of a larger agenda (political, religious, anti-religious)? We have to work our way through the propaganda facade of “we are common people with a common message”. While this may be the genuine mindset of many of those joining in the supposed “fight for justice”, we must not be naive. We have to question everything, even our own associations, if we are to truly approach this objectively. In reality, the “who” (Company) of our demonstration, is possibly as important as the “what” (Cause)!
Psalm 1 outlines the “Blessed life”. Simply put, the truly “Blessed” person, avoids associations with those in opposition to God’s Word, and purposefully surrounds himself with those who love God and are obedient to Him. “The counsel of the ungodly....the way of sinners... the seat of the scornful” are God’s description of the type of company we should beware linking up with to promote a cause.
If we do not examine the “company” or the “crowd” with whom we are demonstrating, we will surely become someone’s pawn. As Christians, we do not adhere to anyone’s doctrine, outside of Christ. Why would I open myself up to being used by anyone to advance his agenda, other than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself?
The “gun-control” debate, for example, is touted by both sides to be a just cause. However, the thinking Christian steps back and questions the motives of the ones shouting the loudest. Regardless of our opinion in general, if we take the side of the political “right”, specifically giving our voice for the NRA, we will branded with Neo-Nazi groups like Ku-Klux-Klan, and other extremist groups. Is this really the portrait of Christ’s church that we want the world to see? On the other side, those who vocally join the fight against the NRA will most certainly be linked with groups like N.O.W., Black Lives Matter, NAACP, Planned Parenthood, the LGBT community in general, and several other groups who have openly expressed strikingly anti-biblical and anti-God views.
The Company principle is not as “minor” as siding with the political left or right on an issue. It is as major as deciding whether or not to join up with the outspoken opponents of God. We must use discernment.
For the sake of objectivity, and in an effort to keep our theme in focus, I am not advocating nor condemning a believer’s association with any one group. To be sure, there is “leg-room” on both the right and the left side of many (not all) political and social issues. However, “taking to the streets”, and sending “Tweets” in favor of any organization is a vocal stamp of approval on possibly everything that the said organization promotes. This is quite a statement, and one that must be carefully considered prior to any demonstration.
To be a friend of someone who is, simply put, a sinner in need of salvation, is not sinful. We should, in fact, do everything we can to have contact with the lost. This means, of course, that we should purposefully involve ourselves in the lives of those who do not know God, and even oppose his Word. How can the “light” affect the darkness, if it is hidden under the bushel of the “church-building” or “Church-only” events. We have to get out among the world to reach the world. This includes, but is not limited to abortionists, gays and lesbians, pro- and anti-gun activists, and even those with opposing religious backgrounds. However, we must distinguish the person from the agenda he promotes. We must not be deceived by the modern interpretation of “evangelism”, by thinking that if we join-in the causes of the world, we will somehow secretly surprise them into salvation.
Who are we joining to get our message across? If we are unable to say with confidence, that the all-encompassing goal of our “comrades” is one of true biblical righteousness, we must avoid it at all costs. If the cause is of the Lord, there will be a way to promote it, joining others who stand with the Lord Jesus Christ.
This has been the third part of a PDF entitled iProtest by Daniel Brown. For the entire PDF, please click here.